I'm 37+3
My mother in law has been staying with us for 3 months, she has been I the UK for just under 6 months as my husbands brother invited her to the UK. She has been staying in our spare room. My mother in law has now returned home 3 days ago. I went into the baby's room to discover all the baby's clothes are gone, blankets, crib bedding, soft toys etc my husband immediately called his mum and she said yes she took them to give as gift to the people living in her neighbourhood. She doesn't see the problem as we can buy everything again. My husband then discovered the she has even took the mattresses for the moses basket and next to me, baby bottles and the mobile for the cot. She just opened everything as it's all new and stuff them in her bag and left the packaging in my sons empty wardrobe!
I'm sad, angry and just don't know ifnim being dramatic or not. We gave her plenty of money, gifts ans clothes to distribute to people I don't see why she had to take our baby's stuff. My sister in law called me and said please don't be angry as me and my husband and two different cultures (I'm Welsh he is Nigerian) bare in mind we have been married 8 years and we already have 2 children. To top it off our car seat box was also open and a big cut in it. My husband said his mother couldn't do something like that, but I have pictures of everything when I first unbox it to check it all.
The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.
Learn more about our guidelines.
Definitely not being dramatic, I’m from an Indian background and you could say theres some similarities… I would absolutely hit the roof…
Probably not worth mentioning anything to her to avoid drama (I also find people from that generation don’t see the error of their ways and its like speaking to a brick wall)
I would make a list of missing things and get your husband / SIL and those around to reorder and unbox everything if youre able to and maybe lock the nursery?
You’re 9 months pregnant, definitely don’t need the extra stress!!!! Will she be staying while baby is here?

Oh my god! I’m so sorry this has happened. I would be furious. This is theft…?

What the actual fuck..... im sorry no. She has litrally stollen from her grandchild. Doesn't matter if u can buy it all again its not the point. She'd committed a crime. If it was me id be calling the poilce

That is absolutely DISGUSTING! I would be fuming, it's theft and she has commited a crime.
I don't care if it's a cultural thing. Too many people hide behind this as an excuse for abbohorent behaviours. I would be reporting it to the police.

I would report to police…family or not. This shouldn’t have happened to you.

I am Nigerian and if my MIL or even my mom did this, I will be fuming
Oh my
It’s not about buying again, it’s the fact that she didn’t even tell you
Oh my God
You went through lots to curate your baby the lovely things and she just took them

Yeah she wouldn’t be allowed back in my home again. No discussion, she’s banned from stepping another foot in. That is CRAZY and cultural difference or not, she knew what she was doing. My dad is Caribbean and my husband is Bangladeshi, I understand the aspect of cultural differences and grew up with my parents sending barrels to Jamaica. NEVER would I accept anyone stealing from my child. I’m so sorry this has happened to you, especially when you’re so close to your due date, I know it takes time to build everything up

She’d be banned from being within 20 miles of me 😂 what the actual heck

I’m Nigerian and I believe a selfish mil could have done this! Very appalling behaviour to be honest.
I’m sorry about this
Please make a list and ask your husband and his family to rebuy everything. Let your husband know she really disappointed you.

This is beyond me, she sounds like a bitter jealous woman and to be honest I don't think your angry enough. MIL or not sometimes they need to be put in their place who ever it upsets. What she has done is dam right disrespectful and hurtful. So now you and your husband have to come out of pocket to replace everything. She should not ever be allowed in your home again. Also im so sorry your dealing with this I hope you are okay x

That is not okay. I would be furious and cut her off instantly.

That is horrible!! I don’t understand how she could why she would ever think it was acceptable to give to others as gifts!
If she’s gone back to her country, I honestly wouldn’t report it to the police as there’s not much they could do when it comes to getting the items back. Plus you would have to sign a statement saying you’d attend court against her.
I agree with making a list of everything gone and making your MIL/SIL pay for everything again. It’s not about the money or whether you can afford it. They were items you bought your child. Who could literally come at any day now and it’s all gone.

Sorry but no, culture etc doesn’t excuse stealing! I’d be absolutely fuming and would ring the police tbh! She either sends you the money to replace everything or she finds a way of getting it back to you. Entirely inexcusable! hope you’re ok!

Immediately I started reading it, I knew that mother in law must be a Nigerian. I am a Nigerian so no emotions attached.
Just let your husband know that history must not repeat itself as that mother in law is never going to step into your house again.
Some mother in laws are just so wicked that you will start imagining if they are humans.
So sorry you have to be going through this stress at this stage.

She would not be welcomed in my house ever again. Dont give a s*** if is culture or not. This is MY home and will follow MY culture. Shove your culture where the sun doesnt shine cus I aint accepting that. Her son can go see her, cus I aint having her over ever again